During the weekend trip to Melbourne's Botanic Garden I had hoped to get some pictures of the herons that stand on the islands in the lakes. While it was a rather good plan (or so I thought!) there were rather too many people about - and you can also hire a punt and being "punted" around the lakes.
While I am sure this is all jolly good fun, it does rather put the kibosh on heron watching.
How dare they!
So we sat down to eat a picnic lunch, and just watched the opportunists walk up to us in the hope of crumbs and snacks.
These are some of our hungry looking visitors!
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| Female Magpie Lark |
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| Female Wood Duck |
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| Male Chestnut Teal |
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| Purple Swamphen |
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| Dusky Moorhen |
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| Hardhead or White Eyed Duck |
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| Hardhead or White Eyed Duck |
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| Silver Gull |
Now it's over to you - click on the link below and off you go.
what a great selection of birds and waterfowl!
ReplyDeletei like your little wood duck hen!
I'm partial to the very first image...the lark. She's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI have tried that trick ... picnic in the Botanical Gardens and all I get is Sparrows and Starlings ... What are you feeding those darlings that gets them even coming out of the water to join you for lunch. You must be a bird whiperer ... such an awesome selection of birds. Sometimes I feel like I don't live in the right place ... need a roomer?
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Quite a nice variety Stewart. The magpie lark is a beauty. Love the white eyed duck too.
ReplyDeletea shame to miss the herons but you saw a wide variety of other birds
ReplyDeleteSo many different birds!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great variety of birds indeed, Stewart!! Beautiful captures!!
ReplyDeleteEach bird has such a nice portrait. Now if you could just get them to pay you for your beauty shot!
ReplyDeleteSorry about the herons, but you saw many lovely birds anyway.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo of all the "opportunists"! At least they come up close for photos without any great effort!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I always hate it when other people interfere with my nature hikes (who let them on to our private path/beach/etc) ;>).
ReplyDeleteWonderful birds visited you while you ate. I'd probably be lucky to get sparrows. Or starlings.
Great shots Stewart .
ReplyDeleteIt's fantastic when the wildlife comes to you.
Really gorgeous birds. I'm loving the Purple Swamphen and Gull. All of them are beautiful birds!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive luncheon guests! It seems that botanical gardens all over the world are special attractions for birds. That magpie lark is a standout!
ReplyDeleteThe chestnut teal looks like a rather chunky character. A great variety of lunch-time friends.
ReplyDeleteGreat birds; botanical gardens can be good birding places.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I'm fond of the magpie and swamphen! Lots of nice color, too!
ReplyDeleteStewart, these are such beautiful shots!...:)JP
ReplyDeletenice shots as always :)
ReplyDeleteI never tire of looking at our Australian birds, wonderful photo's.
ReplyDeleteNot only did you have very good looking lunch guests, the professional photographer you hired to shoot the event did a wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteThat's the way to have a picnic!
Great images, Stewart!
Wonderful variety of birds, Stewart. My favorites are the pretty lark and the swamphen! Great shots, thanks for hosting.. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeletea lovely post featuring our more reliables for a photo opportunity
ReplyDeleteA nice group of birds and waterfowl! I'm intrigued by the swamphen. Nice colors.
ReplyDeleteMagpies are special favourites of mine. I've only seen one and that was several years ago. The dusky moorhen reminds me a bit of our American Coot. Great post, Stewart and my eternal thanks for keeping this meme running so smoothly.
ReplyDeleteYour bird shots are fabulous! All so nice and close and clear!!
ReplyDeleteA great bunch of shots from your weekend. I like them all.
ReplyDeleteWell you certainly had lots of visitors and they are very photogenic. Phooey on those dang Herons. MB
ReplyDeleteA great selection of lunch guests.
ReplyDeleteWhat a collection. And they all look as if they are walking towards you.
ReplyDeleteAustralian ducks are some of the best, yours are excellent.
ReplyDeletethanks again for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday...
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart!
ReplyDeleteReally nice photos you took of all these birds, I think they are common here in Sweden too!
Greetings Pia
Quite an awesome collection here Stewart. Wow. I love the magpie. Fantastic shots!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds. I really like the Magpie Lark.
ReplyDeleteGlad you still got to see these great birds up close during your picnic. Love the swamphen and hoping I get to see one too in the future.
ReplyDeletequite the show of birds for your sit down snack time... they're all beautiful. i especially like that magpie lark... hope all is well. have a great day~
ReplyDeleteYou might not have seen the herons, but that's a great assortment of birds you saw. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'd say it was a great day despite not seeing the heron. The magpie has always been a favorite of mine and that swamphen is so elegant! I've not seen that one, so thank you.
ReplyDeleteDelightful assembly of birds, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteOh...I want to see a Purple Swamphen!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos better luck next time for the herons.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful variety of birds and great photos Stewart.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting collection you have this week! That female magpie lark is a beauty. All are striking, such unusual colors we're not used to seeing.
ReplyDeleteFantastic selection of birds. The Purple Swamphen caught my eye, a very colorful and interesting looking bird.
ReplyDeleteLovely. I especially like the picture of the Purple Swamphen. It's such a common bird that I think people forget how pretty it is.
ReplyDeleteKauniita lintukuvia.
ReplyDeleteSo you finally found your Hardhead! Good for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great selection of water birds!
ReplyDeleteI missed linking up this week, I've been a bit preoccupied and it was my birthday on Wednesday.
Hi Stewart, you were in the right place for those 'opportunists' - a nice variety of them.
ReplyDeleteI must join the others and link up on Wednesdays when I have some birdy shots.
Cheerio for now :D)
wonderful shots...
ReplyDeletebeautiful species
www.serkanmutan.com
Hi, just came across your site and as a birder from South Africa I'd like to join in if that's ok.
ReplyDeleteHave enjoyed looking at the birds from other parts of the world